Google Search

Wenger Gives Defence Of Season Ticket Prices

Arsene Wenger has defended the club’s ticket prices, saying that Arsenal haven’t increased ticket prices in four to five years. The yearly BBC survey into costs for football fans revealed that Arsenal once again have the most expensive season tickets in England (via Arsenal.com).

The costs to football fans have skyrocketed in the last few decades, especially for the ones who actually go to matches. The BBC has conducted its Price of Football surveys for a number of years and once again it has revealed that Arsenal charges the most number for a season ticket.

Both the cheapest and most expensive available season tickets at the Emirates are the most expensive in England. It will set you back £1,014.00 to watch all the home matches at the Emirates with Spurs’ season tickets the second most expensive at £765.00. The result is that Gunners fans have to spend £32.71 per goal compared £6.36 at Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger was asked about the survey in his pre-match press conference and spoke out in defence of the club’s pricing. “I believe that we don’t have the most expensive average price so you have to be careful how you present that.” Wenger replied and he’s correct. Arsenal may have the most expensive season tickets but the prices for individual matches are relatively cheap with prices starting at £27.

“For 4/5 years we haven’t increased the price of our tickets.” Wenger went on. “Everybody at the club is concerned that we allow people in who are less rich as well.

“We are as well in a system that we do not master. When the wages go up at clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United or any other club, we are accused of losing our players to these clubs because we do not pay their wages that the players demand.

“We are in a system where we have to live with the demands of the players.”

The point about player wages is interesting. Player wages have certainly increased in time with ticket prices but Arsenal still had the most expensive season tickets before both Manchester clubs drastically altered their wage structure. Matchday income is a massive part of the club’s income but it’s important that fans don’t get any further priced out of attending matches.